Benefits of using a Non-Captured recoil spring setup

Pro is that a non-captured rod makes it easier to change springs in an effort to modify slide speed.

Con is that really stiff springs can be difficult to reinstall. Some springs, like Wolff, are tapered at one end and must be installed correctly, small end first.

Many people that I know that are involved in competition use them to alter the recoil, but once they come up with the spring strength they are looking for, they are done and use a captured setup with that strength spring. If you carry the same pistol you use to compete with you can just change back to the original spring.

I never found it difficult to reassemble a Glock with a non captured spring but these days I just stick with the stock spring. Easy to change, reliable and cheap enough to carry a spare.

Dave

I use 19# Wolff non-captured springs in my Gen2 G19 & G22. They work fine and they are not difficult to disassemble and reassemble. I don't have to worry about the retaining device breaking off or loosening.

Pros, it's really fun watching the spring shoot across the room!

Stock is your best bet unless you're handloading and competing, and need to run underpowered loads.

125K9 said:

Pros, it's really fun watching the spring shoot across the room!

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Yes, I have chased a few springs in my day.

What is a TPS report?

gusbuster said:

What is a TPS report?

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:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

the benefit might be the exercise you get chasing the spring.

Who all makes a STEEL non-captured rod now? Preferably blackened.

AgentAdam said:

Who all makes a STEEL non-captured rod now? Preferably blackened.

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Check with Jager, I think they have one.

Non-captured is simpler and more reliable. I received a new OEM captured rod that was defective due to tight manufacturing tolerances required. Non-captured eliminates this, and it's no harder to assemble than the captured one.

Con: the stock spring is "free"- included with the gun, and works quite well, and reliably, unless you are doing a torture test video.

Con: The aftermarket spring setup costs extra -- sometimes MUCH extra.

Pro: you are stimulating the economy by spending $$ on useless stuff.

Pro: psychologically, you've customized the Glock, and spent $$, therefore it must work "better" than before. You now can talk about all those MODS that make your gun "special" and "better" than others.

Wolff makes a blackened non-captured guide rod, but you have to use their springs. BT Guiderods makes a blackened stainless steel guide rod that can be used with the stock Glock springs or ISMI springs. The website only allows you to order the Sta-Tite captured rods, but it says the non-captured rods are available. I called and got a BT captured guide rod (without the spring) and a Sta-Tite toolkit for my G26. I used my own stock spring and saved the cost of a new spring.

Why would you only be able to use a Wolf spring on there non-captured rod?I know there spring is tapered but I have used a Glock spring on there capture SS unit.

AgentAdam said:

Why would you only be able to use a Wolf spring on there non-captured rod?I know there spring is tapered but I have used a Glock spring on there capture SS unit.

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There really isn't any reason why you couldn't depending on the rod manufacturer, provided the taper is in the correct direction (some captured rods have an additional washer on the end as well). Wolf springs a standard coil spring with a taper, stock OEM and ISMI aftermarket ones are flat coil.

Wolff doesn't make a captured SS unit, do they?
http://www.gunsprings.com/index.cfm?page=items&cID=1&mID=5

I meant Lone Wolf Dist. , not Wolf Gun Springs Inc.

My armorers at work all stated the non captured recoil springs were much better than captured ones.